AROUND SOUTH FLORIDA with ELGIN JONES 05-01-09

MR. PITIFUL A pitiful man, George Bartusek, 51, was arrested on Feb. 4 and charged with breach of peace and trespassing after he was seen in a supermarket parking lot in Cape Coral, engaging in sex acts with two blow-up sex dolls. He could have faced up to a year in jail, but a judge on Monday, April 27 sentenced him to six months probation and ordered him to continue his psychiatric counseling. WORKING FOR LESS Florida Senate minority leader Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, organized a rally outside the state Capitol building on Monday, April 27 in opposition to a plan by Republican legislators to implement salary cuts for state workers. The plan would impose 4 percent reductions for everyone making over $26,400, and 5-percent cuts for those earning more than $80,000 annually. It would also include a 5-percent pay cut for legislators. Frankly, all state workers making over $75,000 a year should have their salaries cut at least 25 percent, all the way up to the governor. Those earning between $60,000 and $75,000 should see cuts of 5 percent. A handful of Republicans, including Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, are expressing concern that any cuts could lead to some worker’s home going into foreclosure. We are in critical times, and it is better to have any job than to join the millions of people who now rely on paltry unemployment checks just to eat. This is not a time to be greedy or selfish, and we all must sacrifice. Such cuts would not be unreasonable, considering the alternatives.

Palm Beach County

MAN KILLED Police have not been able to determine what was behind the April 27 shooting death of 29-year-old Windy R. DuPont of Boynton Beach. He was shot by unknown assailants around 3 p.m. outside a vacant house in the 200 block of Northwest 15th Avenue, near Interstate 95 and Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. A gray Chevrolet Malibu was found in the home’s driveway with its doors open, but no suspects were inside. Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477).

OFFICE TROUBLES The Office Depot chain began in a Lauderdale Lakes mall in 1986. Since that time, it has grown into an international company that generates more than $15 billion in annual revenue. Now, the Boca Raton-based firm is in trouble after losing millions of dollars in the last three quarters, including $68 million in the first quarter of 2009. To make matters worse, a number of states have opened inquiries into Office Depot’s business practices. The state of Georgia canceled its $40 million annual contract with the company in February.

LEMON ATTACK Mandi Valentine, 40, of Boca Raton, was arrested on Monday, April 27 after police responded to a 911 call from her husband, who reported that she threw lemons at him during an argument. None of the lemons actually hit him, but Mandi was charged with one count of simple assault with the intent to do harm. She was released without having to post any bond. This is an absolutely ridiculous waste of time and tax dollars.

TURN OF EVENTS It was weeks ago in February that Heath Miller shot and killed a masked and armed intruder who broke into his home as he and his wife slept. Support poured in from around nation for the popular 34-year-old band director who teaches at H. L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens. Oh, how things have changed. Miller was arrested on April 20, and is now being held in the Palm Beach County Jail with no bond on two counts of sexual assault on victims under 18, according to authorities. He is also charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious acts on children under 16 years of age, according to authorities. The sexual assault investigation began on April 16 after one child alleged to school officials that Miller fondled her and at least three other girls at school, according to police. School police reported that he attempted to interfere with their investigation by asking the girls not to discuss the incidents. Miller’s family is prominent and highly regarded in Belle Glade, where they own Miller Funeral Home. His mother served several terms on the city council, and one term as mayor. He was student council vice president in high school, and graduated with honors from Howard University in 1992. Now he sits in jail, accused of unseemly crimes.

Miami-Dade County

TO TAKE A LIFE William Lee Thompson, 57, was convicted in the 1976 rape, torture and murder of Sally Ivester at a Miami-Dade County motel. Now, more than 33 years later, a hearing is taking place in a Miami-Dade County courtroom to determine if his death sentence will be reinstated. The Florida Supreme Court threw out the sentence twice due to his defense lawyer’s successful arguments that he is mentally retarded. Circuit Court Judge Jacqueline Hogan Scola is presiding, and is expected to rule within the next several weeks. Thompson and another man were convicted of molesting Ivester with a chair leg, beating her for hours with a chain, and burning her with cigarettes.

Broward County

SATELLITE STALKING Gary R. Swanson, 56, of Deerfield Beach was arrested on aggravated stalking charges after placing a GPS tracking device in the car of his ex-girlfriend. He is also accused of showing up wherever she was, and repeatedly calling about her whereabouts. His bail has been set at $100,000, and he must wear a GPS ankle bracelet as a condition of his release.

BRUTAL PROTEST Mary Grey, a 59-year-old homeless woman, has been protesting outside of the Fort Lauderdale police station after being arrested on April 6, charged with resisting arrest and fighting with police officers. She carries a sign that reads, “5 Police Beat Me.” Grey says she was beaten by Jason Van Choff and four of his fellow officers after she asked them a question. Her arm is in a sling, and she has several bruises she alleges were caused by the police beat down. Police say she fought with them and interfered while they were attempting to arrest another person. It’s hard to believe this tiny lady would attack five officers, but in any event, it is more reason why city officials should approve dash cameras for police cars. Watch The Video

COMING BACK? Former Lauderdale Lakes City Commissioner Levoyd Williams says he is running for a city commission seat in 2009. Williams made a losing bid for mayor in 2008, and plans to challenge incumbent Commissioner David Shomers for his seat.

SALESMAN CONVICTED A Broward County jury has issued a verdict in the case of former Miramar City Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman. He was charged with aggravated assault after pulling a gun on a couple of teenagers in a grocery store in 2007. He was found guilty on Tuesday of illegal exhibition of a firearm, a misdemeanor. He was acquitted of the felony charge of aggravated assault. This was his second trial in connection with the crime. The first trial in March ended with the judge declaring a mistrial after a juror consulted a dictionary during deliberations.